PETER GULACSI may be taking second billing to Tranmere’s teenage match-winner Dale Jennings this week, but the young goalkeeper has his own reasons for satisfaction.

Jennings’ spectacular 45th-minute strike would not have secured a first away league win for Les Parry’s team at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday without a number of fine saves from Gulacsi denying the Pirates in their attempts to force an equaliser.

Parry said: “Peter made two saves with his feet that did not look that good but were in fact magnificent. The shots came through crowds of bodies and he was able to stand up and use his feet. They were great saves.”

The victory and the clean sheet was just what the Liverpool goalkeeper was looking for in the third game of his second loan spell of the year with Tranmere.

The 20-year-old Hungarian admits he had been keen to “correct my mistake and show what I’m capable of” after making a costly slip in his first appearance, the 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic 12 days ago. Gulacsi said: “I was not happy after the Charlton game because I made a mistake and we conceded from it.

“It was my first match for Tranmere this season.”

Gulacsi, still waiting for a first-team chance at Anfield, won a place in the hearts of Tranmere fans during his first spell on the Wirral side of the Mersey at the end of last season. He was a model of consistency in helping Rovers take 10 points from the final five games of the League One campaign to stave off the threat of relegation.

Those memories were a factor in persuading Gulacsi to return when Tranmere came calling again after losing number one keeper Gunnar Nielsen to a shoulder injury.

Gulacsi said: “I wanted to come back because I want to play senior football. Last season there was a really good group here so when the chance came to come back again, I wanted to take it. I really enjoy being here.”

John Achterberg, one of the goalkeeping coaches at Liverpool and previously a goalkeeper and coach Prenton Park, helped to oil the wheels of the move.

Gulacsi said: “It was a big help to me that John Achterberg was working here before he came to Liverpool. He knows this place and the staff and helped me out.”

Parry also had words of praise for midfielder Joss Labadie as Tranmere secured a result lifted them clear of the relegation places. Parry said: “That was a bit more like the Joss Labadie we know and let’s hope he keeps up that form.

“Towards the end of the first half he was getting some joy going forward and we were screaming at him to put the reins on. He was enjoying himself but he has to be disciplined in that role. Overall I thought he had a great game.”